Port Macquarie
Feb 5th 2008, 1:29 pm
#16
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Basingstoke to Port Macquarie
Posts: 30
Re: Port Macquarie
I agree Kate, sounds wonderful a great place for a family.
Thanks Andy.
Dawn
Thanks Andy.
Dawn
Feb 11th 2008, 9:19 pm
#17
Aussie lost in the UK
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Terrigal, NSW Central Coast
Posts: 682
Re: Port Macquarie
Your both welcome, if you have any specific questions about it let me know - like I said, lived in Taree until I went to uni so know Port and the Mid North Coast very well.
I'm a proper central coastie now ...regard this as my 'home town'......
I'm a proper central coastie now ...regard this as my 'home town'......
Feb 11th 2008, 11:05 pm
#18
Emigrated 24/11/07
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Umina Beach, NSW
Posts: 191
Re: Port Macquarie
We originally thought about Lismore up north for the career opportunities but were put off by consistent reports of drug abuse and hippy culture in Byron Bay and Ballina - also the general consensus that work would be difficult to find. After a lot more research we settled on Port Macquarie. When we arrived here on the 2nd December we had never been here before except virtually with google earth!
First of all, for health care there is a Base Hospital and a private hospital (if not more than one actually) plus there are lots of little clinics offering support services such as skin cancer care - physio - and others. There are also lots of GP practices although a large one has just closed.
The local press is Port Macquarie News http://portmacquarie.yourguide.com.au/home.asp which lists the free paper too. All sorts of info can be found here.
What's it like to live here? AWESOME. We are not going back to the UK not ever and we have picked the right spot for us. Renting is a bit of a headache at first as rentals of the right size are hard to find. As with anywhere there are flea pits which have been on the market for some time and the rest come and go in weeks. But, there always seems to be a turnover so they come up often just not many of them and when they do there will be four or five sets of couples or families looking at them especially in the $250 - $300 a week bracket. The bond will be around $1200 too and one - two weeks rent in advance. Come prepared if you're renting to start with, if you're selling in the UK get a reference from the seller - AND from the solicitor that the funds are all yours) and a credit reference if you can get one too. All the agents want really is to know that you can keep up the payments and you're not going to wreck the place. The biggest renter here is ELDERS real estate, although there are lots of others renting out too but ELDERS seem to have all the paperwork and contracts down to a fine tee which means you DON'T have to get a solicitor to check over the contract (which you are advised to do when renting in Sydney etc). http://www.elders.com.au/branch/inde...?branch_id=581
Schools I can't help out with as we don't have school age kids - BUT - we have been told by all the real estate agents who we have been out with that the schools are GOOD and at different levels and lots of them. Our real estate guy is really friendly and helpful (he's selling houses though not a rental agent) and he has two girls both of school age. Laing and Simmons http://www.portrealestate.net/ have a good spread of info on houses for sale which will give you a good idea for what's in what price bracket. Also look at http://www.domain.com.au/ you probably looked at the free paper in all the real estate agents when you were here - its published by Domain.
Regarding location - we hunted high and low and drove around just about every street there is in PMQ to get a feel for the place. We, like you took to Crestwood and Emerald Downs areas straight away. Its got a good feel about it and the houses are away from the norm and a bit newer that other estates. Crestwood is still ongoing though so you need to be careful of the location as two of them look to be dead ends but the land at the end of them are sold so development WILL happen sooner rather than later. Also there are some up and down bits in the middle of Crestwood estate so if a house looks as though it has a steep drive it probably has. Emerald Downs has slightly older houses which are matured but not old if you get my drift. The gardens are usually landscaped nicely and often back on to the reserve- but we have heard that the reserve being so close to the house brings with it a lot of gum tree debris which can end up in your pool if you have one, also of course the wild life is that bit closer too. The golf municipal course in amongst these two estates where there are plots of land up for sale at the moment. Some plots are quite big at 800sqm which would give you a good sized 4/5 bedroom house and room for a pool. The golf course HAD to be put in there as Hastings council insisted that the landowner break up the estate a bit and give an area over to common land. The problem is the golf course has no facilities at the moment but it is pretty and well maintained. This area is serviced by schools and by a small shopping area and liquor store too.
Over the other side of the highway is of course Lighthouse Beach. Most but not all of the houses here are older but there are some bargains to be had. There are more houses which need attention here which means you can pick up a right bargain close to the beach which is big but needs up dating. There are less newer houses as people seem to buy up the plots which are left and build on them for themselves rather than as a development opportunity. Anything which has even a hint of a sea view though sends the price rocketing -way way over the rateable value. There is a plot for sale about 1000m off the beach up on the hill close to Lighthouse beach shops with excellent views but its going for 650k and that's just for the land!!!!!!!!! Another house was on a steep hill but right over the road from the swimming end of lighthouse beach but only with 3 bedrooms and the guy was holding out for $1.3m even though he'd been offered $1m!!!!!
We realised after a LOT of hunting that we were not going to get ALL the boxes ticked. We were hoping for land of around 1000sqm, 4-5 bedrooms, two living areas, pool if possible, double garage and VIEWS! Hmm - it wasn't going to happen with a max budget of $650k (incl. all costs) not in those areas. We did look at every house in the price bracket in Emerald Downs and Crestwood and there were some great houses but most with no views, some with pools but they were fibre glass, some without air conditioning!
We've just bought a 5 bedroom house off Koala Street - it has everythign we need and is massive compared to anything in the UK. We've had a quote for a 12m x 3m pool with water feature cave and waterfall for $40k.
Stamp Duty is payable on anything over $500k on $590,000 the stamp duty was $22,000 - the solicitor fees are going to be $1200 which is higher than normal as we have to go through the Foreign Investment review Board - this is due to our VISA being provisional (rather than direct resident). We came in with family sponsorship and my work experience - the rules changed at the last minute which meant we have a two year waiting period before our provisional becomes permanent during which time I must have worked for 12 months full time and we must reside in a designated area (which means a non metropolitan area so I can't work in Sydney or Newcastle). If you get a permanent residence VISA then you might not have to go through the FIRB but your estate agent might be able to tell you (although some of them are clueless) but a good solicitor certainly will. Problems sometimes arise when buying second hand that is where approval is needed. All it is really is being able to prove that the money you are bringing in is from a reputable source and not money laundered cash! Also if you do get permanent residence straight away you will also be entitled to the first time buyers rebate which is around $8k I think (don't quote me) - again solicitors will help you out.
Bonny Hills and Lake Cathie are further south but only by 10-15 minutes. There is not much there. Lake Cathie has a shopping area of sorts - woolworths (for food) petrol, and a few smaller shops such as LJ Hooker and newsagents etc. After that you have to come into Port for restaurants and clubs and the like. You are likely to get a sea view though for a sensible amount of money.
There are two social type clubs (not the same as the UK types) Panthers and Westport Club. They are based around sport.
55% of the population is over 40 - if you look on Hastings Council website they list the demographics. There are a lot of people who have moved up from Sydney. What you get for your Sydney dollar is a LOT of house! BUT - petrol for example is 10c more expensive! Food is also expensive and you can add $3-4 onto a bottle of wine compared to somewhere like Wahroonga (where we have family).
This is a family orientated town. Plus it is growing fast. Sovereign Hills is a new town development just off the main highway which will have around 2000 new properties on it around a purpose built lake, with schools, sports facilities and hard wired intranel to each house. Given where the hospital is this is likely to be attractive to young families as the prices are going to top out at $400k.
There are MASSES of places to eat in all price brackets. There are lots of coffee shops (including Starbucks) and some great steak houses and seafood restaurants. There are two shopping complexes - Port Central and Settlement City. There are adequate shops - including a new Coles out of town. Plenty of clothes shops etc. Settlement City is a SMALL enclosed shopping mall with about 55 shops in it. There is also Port Home Zone with Harvey Norman, Oz Design, Curtain Wonderland, BCF and more. There is another home zone on Lake Road where you'll find the Good Guys and Bing Lee for electricals. There is a massive Bunnings (B&Q equiv) and lots of smaller suppliers selling everything from paving stones to BBQs to pet foods to blinds to fencing. You can get pretty much EVERYTHING somewhere in Port.
Final thing though - this is a great place for kids. Town beach and Shelly beach are awesome for kids. The BBQs down by the beaches are FREE (gas) can you believe it! Just take some water and a brillo with you before you cook to make sure a possum didn't pee all over the top of it first! There is a full sized olympic swimming pool in town to for fitness and their is of course a kids club there too. There are a few gyms if you're into that stuff. There's a cinema (albeit its not an IMAX). There is loads to do down by the Marina. There is also Port Macquarie Golf club where there are good facilities and a pro for lessons. If you're into crown green bowling there is a whole field devoted to it. There's ten pin bowling, karting, paint balling, surfing lessons, swimming comps for the kids, you'll maybe know some of the restaurants, river trips, koala hospital in town, billabong koala park out of town, Timbertown in Wauchope (good family fun) and more. There is also a skydiving centre at the airport. Plus Brindabella fly to and from Brisbane and Qantas runs shuttles 4x daily or more to Sydney and Virgin Blue have started a once a day shuttle to Sydney. The council is throwing heavy money into that to keep it going so reckon that's gonna be a flyer (excuse the pun!). Access is easy off the pacific highway for Newcastle, Sydney and Brisbane (which is just as awesome as Sydney is). Then there is the Glasshouse cultural centre which is being built in the middle of town - you might have seen the boards but not known what is was. It's going to be a gallery, theatre and conference facility. There's a scandal on at the moment about how the contracts were awarded (nothing new there then) but I reckon once the dust settles all will carry on as planned. Looks to be a good idea once up.
So that's it for now I reckon. I trust you'll make up your own mind when you check it out yourself.
First of all, for health care there is a Base Hospital and a private hospital (if not more than one actually) plus there are lots of little clinics offering support services such as skin cancer care - physio - and others. There are also lots of GP practices although a large one has just closed.
The local press is Port Macquarie News http://portmacquarie.yourguide.com.au/home.asp which lists the free paper too. All sorts of info can be found here.
What's it like to live here? AWESOME. We are not going back to the UK not ever and we have picked the right spot for us. Renting is a bit of a headache at first as rentals of the right size are hard to find. As with anywhere there are flea pits which have been on the market for some time and the rest come and go in weeks. But, there always seems to be a turnover so they come up often just not many of them and when they do there will be four or five sets of couples or families looking at them especially in the $250 - $300 a week bracket. The bond will be around $1200 too and one - two weeks rent in advance. Come prepared if you're renting to start with, if you're selling in the UK get a reference from the seller - AND from the solicitor that the funds are all yours) and a credit reference if you can get one too. All the agents want really is to know that you can keep up the payments and you're not going to wreck the place. The biggest renter here is ELDERS real estate, although there are lots of others renting out too but ELDERS seem to have all the paperwork and contracts down to a fine tee which means you DON'T have to get a solicitor to check over the contract (which you are advised to do when renting in Sydney etc). http://www.elders.com.au/branch/inde...?branch_id=581
Schools I can't help out with as we don't have school age kids - BUT - we have been told by all the real estate agents who we have been out with that the schools are GOOD and at different levels and lots of them. Our real estate guy is really friendly and helpful (he's selling houses though not a rental agent) and he has two girls both of school age. Laing and Simmons http://www.portrealestate.net/ have a good spread of info on houses for sale which will give you a good idea for what's in what price bracket. Also look at http://www.domain.com.au/ you probably looked at the free paper in all the real estate agents when you were here - its published by Domain.
Regarding location - we hunted high and low and drove around just about every street there is in PMQ to get a feel for the place. We, like you took to Crestwood and Emerald Downs areas straight away. Its got a good feel about it and the houses are away from the norm and a bit newer that other estates. Crestwood is still ongoing though so you need to be careful of the location as two of them look to be dead ends but the land at the end of them are sold so development WILL happen sooner rather than later. Also there are some up and down bits in the middle of Crestwood estate so if a house looks as though it has a steep drive it probably has. Emerald Downs has slightly older houses which are matured but not old if you get my drift. The gardens are usually landscaped nicely and often back on to the reserve- but we have heard that the reserve being so close to the house brings with it a lot of gum tree debris which can end up in your pool if you have one, also of course the wild life is that bit closer too. The golf municipal course in amongst these two estates where there are plots of land up for sale at the moment. Some plots are quite big at 800sqm which would give you a good sized 4/5 bedroom house and room for a pool. The golf course HAD to be put in there as Hastings council insisted that the landowner break up the estate a bit and give an area over to common land. The problem is the golf course has no facilities at the moment but it is pretty and well maintained. This area is serviced by schools and by a small shopping area and liquor store too.
Over the other side of the highway is of course Lighthouse Beach. Most but not all of the houses here are older but there are some bargains to be had. There are more houses which need attention here which means you can pick up a right bargain close to the beach which is big but needs up dating. There are less newer houses as people seem to buy up the plots which are left and build on them for themselves rather than as a development opportunity. Anything which has even a hint of a sea view though sends the price rocketing -way way over the rateable value. There is a plot for sale about 1000m off the beach up on the hill close to Lighthouse beach shops with excellent views but its going for 650k and that's just for the land!!!!!!!!! Another house was on a steep hill but right over the road from the swimming end of lighthouse beach but only with 3 bedrooms and the guy was holding out for $1.3m even though he'd been offered $1m!!!!!
We realised after a LOT of hunting that we were not going to get ALL the boxes ticked. We were hoping for land of around 1000sqm, 4-5 bedrooms, two living areas, pool if possible, double garage and VIEWS! Hmm - it wasn't going to happen with a max budget of $650k (incl. all costs) not in those areas. We did look at every house in the price bracket in Emerald Downs and Crestwood and there were some great houses but most with no views, some with pools but they were fibre glass, some without air conditioning!
We've just bought a 5 bedroom house off Koala Street - it has everythign we need and is massive compared to anything in the UK. We've had a quote for a 12m x 3m pool with water feature cave and waterfall for $40k.
Stamp Duty is payable on anything over $500k on $590,000 the stamp duty was $22,000 - the solicitor fees are going to be $1200 which is higher than normal as we have to go through the Foreign Investment review Board - this is due to our VISA being provisional (rather than direct resident). We came in with family sponsorship and my work experience - the rules changed at the last minute which meant we have a two year waiting period before our provisional becomes permanent during which time I must have worked for 12 months full time and we must reside in a designated area (which means a non metropolitan area so I can't work in Sydney or Newcastle). If you get a permanent residence VISA then you might not have to go through the FIRB but your estate agent might be able to tell you (although some of them are clueless) but a good solicitor certainly will. Problems sometimes arise when buying second hand that is where approval is needed. All it is really is being able to prove that the money you are bringing in is from a reputable source and not money laundered cash! Also if you do get permanent residence straight away you will also be entitled to the first time buyers rebate which is around $8k I think (don't quote me) - again solicitors will help you out.
Bonny Hills and Lake Cathie are further south but only by 10-15 minutes. There is not much there. Lake Cathie has a shopping area of sorts - woolworths (for food) petrol, and a few smaller shops such as LJ Hooker and newsagents etc. After that you have to come into Port for restaurants and clubs and the like. You are likely to get a sea view though for a sensible amount of money.
There are two social type clubs (not the same as the UK types) Panthers and Westport Club. They are based around sport.
55% of the population is over 40 - if you look on Hastings Council website they list the demographics. There are a lot of people who have moved up from Sydney. What you get for your Sydney dollar is a LOT of house! BUT - petrol for example is 10c more expensive! Food is also expensive and you can add $3-4 onto a bottle of wine compared to somewhere like Wahroonga (where we have family).
This is a family orientated town. Plus it is growing fast. Sovereign Hills is a new town development just off the main highway which will have around 2000 new properties on it around a purpose built lake, with schools, sports facilities and hard wired intranel to each house. Given where the hospital is this is likely to be attractive to young families as the prices are going to top out at $400k.
There are MASSES of places to eat in all price brackets. There are lots of coffee shops (including Starbucks) and some great steak houses and seafood restaurants. There are two shopping complexes - Port Central and Settlement City. There are adequate shops - including a new Coles out of town. Plenty of clothes shops etc. Settlement City is a SMALL enclosed shopping mall with about 55 shops in it. There is also Port Home Zone with Harvey Norman, Oz Design, Curtain Wonderland, BCF and more. There is another home zone on Lake Road where you'll find the Good Guys and Bing Lee for electricals. There is a massive Bunnings (B&Q equiv) and lots of smaller suppliers selling everything from paving stones to BBQs to pet foods to blinds to fencing. You can get pretty much EVERYTHING somewhere in Port.
Final thing though - this is a great place for kids. Town beach and Shelly beach are awesome for kids. The BBQs down by the beaches are FREE (gas) can you believe it! Just take some water and a brillo with you before you cook to make sure a possum didn't pee all over the top of it first! There is a full sized olympic swimming pool in town to for fitness and their is of course a kids club there too. There are a few gyms if you're into that stuff. There's a cinema (albeit its not an IMAX). There is loads to do down by the Marina. There is also Port Macquarie Golf club where there are good facilities and a pro for lessons. If you're into crown green bowling there is a whole field devoted to it. There's ten pin bowling, karting, paint balling, surfing lessons, swimming comps for the kids, you'll maybe know some of the restaurants, river trips, koala hospital in town, billabong koala park out of town, Timbertown in Wauchope (good family fun) and more. There is also a skydiving centre at the airport. Plus Brindabella fly to and from Brisbane and Qantas runs shuttles 4x daily or more to Sydney and Virgin Blue have started a once a day shuttle to Sydney. The council is throwing heavy money into that to keep it going so reckon that's gonna be a flyer (excuse the pun!). Access is easy off the pacific highway for Newcastle, Sydney and Brisbane (which is just as awesome as Sydney is). Then there is the Glasshouse cultural centre which is being built in the middle of town - you might have seen the boards but not known what is was. It's going to be a gallery, theatre and conference facility. There's a scandal on at the moment about how the contracts were awarded (nothing new there then) but I reckon once the dust settles all will carry on as planned. Looks to be a good idea once up.
So that's it for now I reckon. I trust you'll make up your own mind when you check it out yourself.
Feb 11th 2008, 11:40 pm
#19
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Bris
Posts: 564
Re: Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie is the biggest above ground cemetery in Australia.
Feb 12th 2008, 5:16 am
#20
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Port Macquarie N.S.W.
Posts: 26
Re: Port Macquarie
Thats a very negative attitude Mr Potato Head.
Try being helpful & Constructive.
Try being helpful & Constructive.
Feb 12th 2008, 8:10 am
#21
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Basingstoke to Port Macquarie
Posts: 30
Re: Port Macquarie
Thanks jellibaby. What an awesome overview of Port. I have never been to Australia but I am quite sure that we are making the right move. Port sounds
as though it has everything we are looking for. I will need to rent first and then hope to buy, although I dont think I want a modernish home, I quite fancy an older style property and had looked on the internet at pappinbarra,
as I beleive this is about 20miles out of Port. But Port definately seems the place to start my search as I have a job at the Base Hospital.
We hope to be out in about 8 months.
Thanks again
Dawn
Feb 12th 2008, 8:24 am
#22
Emigrated 24/11/07
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Umina Beach, NSW
Posts: 191
Re: Port Macquarie
Thanks jellibaby. What an awesome overview of Port. I have never been to Australia but I am quite sure that we are making the right move. Port sounds
as though it has everything we are looking for. I will need to rent first and then hope to buy, although I dont think I want a modernish home, I quite fancy an older style property and had looked on the internet at pappinbarra,
as I beleive this is about 20miles out of Port. But Port definately seems the place to start my search as I have a job at the Base Hospital.
We hope to be out in about 8 months.
Thanks again
Dawn
If there's anything else you want to know ~ or any info you'd like researching let me know and I'll do my best.
Feb 12th 2008, 8:43 am
#23
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Location: Strawberry Hills(billy), NSW
Posts: 631
Re: Port Macquarie
I always liked going to Port - a mate of mine in Sydney had a holiday unit there and I went with a him a few times.
The longer (and enthusiastic) post on here sums it up pretty well.
The trouble with Australia is that it is often difficult to recreate the city/country combination lifestyle that you can do in UK. Most of the jobs are in the big coastal cities so most people migrate there. You can always tell when you're out of commuting distance - the home prices (usually? sometimes?) drop.
Country towns, especially the larger ones, offer many of the services of the cities but I think it can be difficult say if you are seriously ill and need specialist care??? (Perhaps someone could confirm that?)
My brother works for a company that services and repairs sterilization units in doctors/dentists/vets. Most of his work in in Sydney but occasionally he does country trips. I went with him once - Delegate NSW, Cann River Vic, back up the south coast of NSW, Batemans Bay - that's a nice place, like Port M and popular with Canberra people for weekends away. Just checked my map - so old that the highway south from Bombala is still shown as 'gravel'. Delegate is 38K west of Bombala. Lovely little village with almost a fifties feel to it but such a long way from city services. Cann River I also really liked, had a lovely stroll one evening. In England you can live in a little village but still only be 20 mins or so from a reasonable sized town, and maybe an hour from London.
Anyway, I think you are lucky to have to opportunity to live in a country area of NSW. For most of us they are only retirement or holiday options. Even for a weekend trip they mean five or six hour drives.
Dave
Feb 12th 2008, 11:45 am
#25
Kate,Mark,Jack and Scott
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: away with the fairies
Posts: 152
Feb 12th 2008, 11:56 am
#26
Emigrated 24/11/07
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Umina Beach, NSW
Posts: 191
Feb 18th 2008, 5:48 am
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,526
Re: Port Macquarie
Well I'll be checking this place out throughly in early July... especially the eating places.
Might suit me... I'm above 50 now dammit Mind you I do like staylng out late... It doesn't shut as early as Q'land does it ?
Can I buy foreign beer on tap there ? Does it have a pole dancing club, How long does it take to get to an Aleague game ?
Might suit me... I'm above 50 now dammit Mind you I do like staylng out late... It doesn't shut as early as Q'land does it ?
Can I buy foreign beer on tap there ? Does it have a pole dancing club, How long does it take to get to an Aleague game ?
Feb 21st 2008, 11:30 am
#28
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1
Re: Port Macquarie
Hi Dawn,
Well we are originally from Sydney and not the nice parts near the beach and city.
We moved to Perth Western Aus 3 years ago & really love it here.
We have now made alot of money on our house here and decided to move back to NSW to be closer to family and to start a family of our own, we are 30 years old.
Now I dont know what mr potato head is on about beacuse the majority of the poulation are aged 30 to 45 yes there are alot of retirees but I think that is great as they have alot of respect for there area and there neighbours.
We purchased land in Lake Cathie, from Setllement real estate in Lake Cathie over the internet without looking at it last August. The land is 800sqm flat building block 4 minute walk to the beach. It was under $160k. We will probably spend 250 to 350k building so to do this I guess you are looking at aroung $500 we are building a big house & that amount includes a pool.
We are looking forward to less debt and stress.
We are a little bit worried about work as we have great jobs in Perth & the opportunity for work is endless here at the moment.. but we wont need as much money in pm anyway.
I here alot of younger people are moving to Port.. the airport is going to be upgrades there is a new marina upgrade that will have $80million spent on it with apartments restaurants etc.. It is definatly one of the last places that has everything you need, opportunity and an affordable price tag.
This is our third investment in property and both other decisions have been right. Port Macquarie and NSW house prices have been dropping for about 3 to 4 years while other states have grown we are expecting Port to be one of the new boom areas, it has lots going for it already but also room to grow.
We went over at Christmas for 3 days and had a look around.
A big city it is not and we will never forget Perth but it has everything you need at a lower price tag.. but I would hurry because I think that will change soon. And with rents and holiday accomodation demand rising rapidly it is worth trying to get a home as soon as you can.
Anyway we wmovew in about a year so if you get there first let me know if you like it. Kassy
Well we are originally from Sydney and not the nice parts near the beach and city.
We moved to Perth Western Aus 3 years ago & really love it here.
We have now made alot of money on our house here and decided to move back to NSW to be closer to family and to start a family of our own, we are 30 years old.
Now I dont know what mr potato head is on about beacuse the majority of the poulation are aged 30 to 45 yes there are alot of retirees but I think that is great as they have alot of respect for there area and there neighbours.
We purchased land in Lake Cathie, from Setllement real estate in Lake Cathie over the internet without looking at it last August. The land is 800sqm flat building block 4 minute walk to the beach. It was under $160k. We will probably spend 250 to 350k building so to do this I guess you are looking at aroung $500 we are building a big house & that amount includes a pool.
We are looking forward to less debt and stress.
We are a little bit worried about work as we have great jobs in Perth & the opportunity for work is endless here at the moment.. but we wont need as much money in pm anyway.
I here alot of younger people are moving to Port.. the airport is going to be upgrades there is a new marina upgrade that will have $80million spent on it with apartments restaurants etc.. It is definatly one of the last places that has everything you need, opportunity and an affordable price tag.
This is our third investment in property and both other decisions have been right. Port Macquarie and NSW house prices have been dropping for about 3 to 4 years while other states have grown we are expecting Port to be one of the new boom areas, it has lots going for it already but also room to grow.
We went over at Christmas for 3 days and had a look around.
A big city it is not and we will never forget Perth but it has everything you need at a lower price tag.. but I would hurry because I think that will change soon. And with rents and holiday accomodation demand rising rapidly it is worth trying to get a home as soon as you can.
Anyway we wmovew in about a year so if you get there first let me know if you like it. Kassy
Feb 21st 2008, 11:52 am
#29
Emigrated 24/11/07
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Umina Beach, NSW
Posts: 191
Re: Port Macquarie
Now I dont know what mr potato head is on about beacuse the majority of the poulation are aged 30 to 45 yes there are alot of retirees but I think that is great as they have alot of respect for there area and there neighbours.
We purchased land in Lake Cathie, from Setllement real estate in Lake Cathie over the internet without looking at it last August. The land is 800sqm flat building block 4 minute walk to the beach. It was under $160k. We will probably spend 250 to 350k building so to do this I guess you are looking at aroung $500 we are building a big house & that amount includes a pool.
We are looking forward to less debt and stress.
Port Macquarie and NSW house prices have been dropping for about 3 to 4 years while other states have grown we are expecting Port to be one of the new boom areas, it has lots going for it already but also room to grow.
We went over at Christmas for 3 days and had a look around.
Kassy
We purchased land in Lake Cathie, from Setllement real estate in Lake Cathie over the internet without looking at it last August. The land is 800sqm flat building block 4 minute walk to the beach. It was under $160k. We will probably spend 250 to 350k building so to do this I guess you are looking at aroung $500 we are building a big house & that amount includes a pool.
We are looking forward to less debt and stress.
Port Macquarie and NSW house prices have been dropping for about 3 to 4 years while other states have grown we are expecting Port to be one of the new boom areas, it has lots going for it already but also room to grow.
We went over at Christmas for 3 days and had a look around.
Kassy
Feb 24th 2008, 2:04 pm
#30
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Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Basingstoke to Port Macquarie
Posts: 30
Re: Port Macquarie
Thanks Kassy. I am very eager to get out to PM and thanks for your overview. Im sure that we will love it. I will defo let u know what i think when i get there and maybe we can meet up next year. Dawn